Ophthalmoscope



Feb. 27, 1945.' w A ARNESEN 2,370,514

OPHTHALMOSCOPE Filed June 16, 1942 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 85 FIGQZ.

FIG.3.

INVENTOR WALTER A. ARA/SEN ATTORNEYS 5 Sheets-ShedI 2 M .wb n im xm T R N NA WR E O VA u N M 5 w w 5 rl 8 lo mJ F 7 E 4 f/ H mw w F d Q W. A. ARNESEN OPHTHALMOSCOPE Filed June 16, 1942 Feb. 27, 1945. w. A. A RNEsEN 2,370,514

oPHTHALMoscoPE Filed June 1e, 1942 5 sheets-sheet s INVENToR IMQ/ TER A '.nwfsE/v ATTORN Fd). 27,` 1945. w A, ARNESEN 2,370,514

OPHTHALMOSCOPE Filed June 16. 1942 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 \l2 FIGQI I.

`INVENTOIQ WALTER ,4 ARA/SEN ATTORNEYS Feb. 27, 1945.

W. A. ARNESEN OPHTHALMOSCOPE Filed June 16, 1942 5 sheets-sheet 5 Fien INVENTOR WALTER /4A RNESE/v KLJ;

, ATTORNEYS u Patentedl Feb. 27, 1945 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE OPHTHALMOS'COPE Waiter A. Arnesen, FlushingN. Y. Applicationy June 16, k19fi2,`Seral No. 444417208 (cias-22) 15 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in diag'- I nostic instruments, and moreparticularly to'improvements in ophthalmoscopes.

An object 'of thel present invention is to provide a new and improved ophthalmoscope in which the housingis provided with a chamber for the reception of a pair of members designed to vary the character of light directed by the ophthalmoscope. d

Another object of the invention is to provide an ophthalmoscope in which one housing member has an integra1- formation providing a chamber for the reception of two overlapping wheel or composite disc members which carry vmeans for varying the characterof light directed outwardly by the ophthalmoscope.

Fig. 7 isk a View of the inner surface of the cover plate;

Fig. 8 is a view of the same two discs shown inv Fig. 6 but from the opposite sides thereof;

Fig.r 9 is a view of parts of the mechanism in assembly with the housing member addition of the lens discs;" y

Fig. 10 is an enlarged'section taken substantially on the line Ill-I of Fig.l 9; y

Fig. 11 is an enlarged section taken substantially on the line II`I I. ofFig. 9;

Fig. 12 is an enlarged View of a vfragment of the housing shown in Fig. 9 illustrating the manprior to the ner in which the amount of the two small discs ,Another object of the'invention is to provide a simplified amount for such wheels or discs,

which mount serves'to supportthe wheels within the chamber of the housing.

wheels or discs of composite construction, each of which serves to varythe character of light directed by the instrument. .Y

A further object of the invention is to provide simplified lens ldisc constructions for the'ophthalmoscope. l l

A further object of the invention is to provide a simplied arrangement for retaining all op'- erating parts of the instrument within the housmg. d

An additional object of the'invention is to provide means for frictionally retaininga lens disc in desired position, together with similar' means for preventing tilting `of the disc by the first means. y

A still further object of the inventionis to pro'. vide a suitably slotted vrecess or guideway in a part of one of the housing members for receiving a browsupport or other suitableaccessory.

Other featuresobjects and advantages of the invention will be apparent by reference to the following detailed descriptiono-f the accompanying drawings, wherein: i l

Fig. 1 is a view of the back of lan instrumen embodying the invention; f f

Fig. 2 isa side' view. of the sa'me device;

Fig. 3 is a front view of the device;

Fig, 4 is an enlargedsection taken substantially on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1; f f

Fig. is a section taken substantially on the line 5--5 of Fg.4; S

Fig. 6 is a v iew, with the cover plate removed. of the two lens discs disposed in the housing;

is introduced into a chamber in the housing;

Fig. -l-3 is a plan view of this mount; Fig. 14 is an end view of the samemember; Fig. 15 is a plan View vof a composite wheel or dise carried by the mount of Fig. 13;

*Fig 16 is a similar View ofthe other composite wheelordisc; V if Fig. 1'7 is a sectiontaken-substantially on line II--I1 ofFig. 15; E d

Fig. 18 is a section taken substantially on -line I8`I8 of Figf l2; l

Fig. 19 is affragmenta'ry view of .the'back of the instrument showing the manner in which a brow suppo-rt can be assembled therewith, and

Fig. 20 is a side view of'the same part of the instrument. d

Referring now to= thedrawings, I0 indicates generally a casing for an ophthalmoscope, which casing is made up of a front plate I I and a rear plate or housing I2. Each of these plates is made of some suitable material, such as a phenol condensation product or other die-cast or moldedl The casv material having the desired properties. ing as a whole has the'g'eneral outline shown in the drawings, and the rear plate "or housing I2,

in addition to conforming to the general outline of the face plate shown in Fig. 3, has formed integrally therewith a tubular portion I 4 for the reception of a lightjbending and directing member, such as a prism I5, and a continuation of l such tubular portion as shown at I6 for the rebulb outwardly substantially at an angle of to the axis of the tubular portions i4 and IB; in use these raysl beingl directed upon the eye of la patient under examination.

Intermediate the tubular portions I4 and I6 is an integral enlargement 2U hollowed outto form a chamber for the reception of two overlapping composite wheels or `discs 2| and 22. lThis enlargement has openings 24 and 25 therein,-

through which portions of the peripheries of the discs 2| and 22 extend. The peripheries of these discs are milled to aid in manipulating the same. The chamber which isformed by hollowing out the enlargement 20', is open at the inner vsurface of the housing |2fror"introduction1.of" the. two discs 2| and" 22, along with 'a mount member which supports these discs within the chamber.,

The mount is shown in Figs. 12 to 14, inclusive;

being made up of suitable thin spring metalgtos" have a flat part centrally apertured as vat 26. In addition this part 25 has two opposit'e'aper tures 21 and A28. Extending ontwardlyqnyeach direction from one edge of the part 25 ,are two ears 29 and 30 disposed at right angles-to the part 25.. The. respective earsn 29 andt30 have A, The parts comprising this disc and the mount assembly can be located'in the chamber in the the exposed surface, of the thicker disc engaging fthe cupeshaped stopfmember 35.

vWhen these parts areso assembled with the thicker disc porltions'thereof"opposing each other and with the springs'lilland32. under tension, the mount and openings 29 and`30' therein. Dependingfrom` the earsl 29, and.l 3l) aref spring. stop0 members. .3 I

and 32.v Theendsofthesemembers3-I. and32." are substantially` cup-shapedasshown at :i4-and 35, for a.purposeto.be.describedlater.l i

Thecomposite disc 2|t is made up ofA` a. thin.-

metal disc `4I1-fand .athickein disc. 4 I`,.preferably ofV some suitable thermoplasticmaterial..but which` canloeyofY metal.` or. other suitable. material. The

dis-c 4| is provided :with l.fouropenings 42y while discy 4afhas. threenotching. openings 424 ancha slot 43 ,arrangedv diametrica-lly-of the other. open.- l

ing, 42 ofdisc 4|. If desired,.fl1tersf'or.various colors can: be'.V clamped between the: twov discs 40g and 4| to llselectedvopenings.42, one lof suc-h openings, however-,being unobstructed. by.J asi-l1- ter or anyother extraneoussmaterial.. AlinV order that these twowdiscsv may besecured@together;r the metalA disc 4U has two openings' 44. in diamet-` rically opposite disposition to t around the" short studs 45- formed. integrally with: the -disc Since this dics 4|, and consequently the? 4 I. studs .45,1 are' preferably of:y thermoplastic l.material, these studs may be spread outwardly'by a.: hot die.v or the. likexto'- owthematerial of. the

stulzlssover. the. edges. of theY openings 44 suffi` Iciently'to. lock these'twodiscstogether. If disc 4I.v and ,studs-f 45',` are: of metal, nthe studsf'canbe formed over` in a similar manner by a'fpress-ure.-A die. A' short metallic` shaft 461- extendsthrough the.v composite. discl and= isnonrotatable relative'v thereto.

The other. composite disc-:22 "is made up in a similari manner ,ofV afmeta-llc.: or plastic;y discy 43 and a'. second .disc-.fv similar Itov the disc. 4 I but not' thinner disc 48 has; openings 54v therein. similar to the openings `441,'and the 'companion thicker disci has studs. 55 similarA to studs 45 for locking the-two discs in assembly. A shaft-5Bislikewise provided.. When slots 43. and 52- are-.brought into the line ofl lighttravel,r they cross-.each other at right angles.

discs can be introduced into the chamber of the enlargement -20 andy forced thereinto until the ears 29..` and. 3Il Contact the. inner. surface. of.` the housing lI\'..',..whi`chis` recessed vtoitecleivei;riesamey and which is providedwithshortstuds to enter. the.openingsZilandl When so-positioned in this'shousing, the. springsl". and. 32. can. expand.

within limltsto hold. the disc.in..assembly with thepart 25,'. and inaddition the. cup-shaped parts Siland SI5A act as opposing. stops. to.. assure that vone of the openings 42' of disc 2| and oneofthe. openings 49,50, 5I or 52..of fthe disc22. isinalignment withthe. tubularparts` I4. andVV I6 of. the housing. These. two. discs. can bey rotated selectivelyv and independently to ali'gnthe various fila ters of the disc. 2I.l with these. tubular parts. of

ythe-housingA to effecl:tl:ie normalvariation in light directed outwardly by. the prism I5, asis the. result. obtainedfby color filters.. andV also to vary the. character. of the light. iny accordance with..thef fourV openings in the., disc` 22. Various L J combinations, of course,y are. possible with. these discs... y y

The housingZIlhasa, stud extending from the.. infiel-"surfacethereof, which stud is. apertured `and internally threaded.. A.V short. screw member. 6. IV threaded. into this. aperture serves to retain. the vmount for. the .-prism. |51 in, proper. position in the tubular part I4 ofV the housing. A

second. screw: 62.. can. .be usedinamanner to be described. laten, suohsecond screwbeing likewise.

threadedintothis aperture,.butis of such length as to stop short of the screw 6I. Fitting around the. stud Alill. is. a. metallic.v washer 6.4.. which is in effect a hub for a lens disc in amannerto be described. later.: Washer64recessedin the undersurface thereof, as..l at, 55,'.to1 clear the peripheries ofthe discs 2| and 22; as shown in Fig. 4. Proper location of the washer 64 is assured by an opening 66 therein', which ts over the stud which passes through thek opening. 30" in the ear 30. Thus rotation of the washer is prevented and proper' location of the recess`65 is assured. By reference to Fig. 9'ofthe drawings it will be seen that the washer' 64 has a portion overlying-the openingA intothe disc1 chamber; whichportio'n effectively retains the disc mount and the discswithin thisv chamber; such retention being assured by contact of portionsofthe washer 64 with the.earsr29 a'nd 30S of the-.discmount.

Immediately above thetop of tha-prism 151 the housing I2 is provided. with-YL a; through opening `recessed surrounding thisfstud. to: receivev a meous openings 88.

tallic member 1I which is circular for the major portion but which has a lip 12 extending therefrom. A bead 14 is formed on this lip 12. The

upper part of the housing from which the stud extends is thinner than the part from which the stud 60 extends, so that a lens disc 15 positioned around the stud 10 does not extend beyond the lower part of the housing, since a second lens disc must be positioned around the stud 60 in overlapping relation to the disc 15. The disc 15 is made up of a relatively thick dis`c16 of suitable thermoplastic material, metal, or other suitable material, and a second thinv disc 11 of similar material. These two discs are provided with a plurality of matched openings 18 and filters of -conventional character, or lenses of suitable dioptric value can be held between the The two discs 16 and 11 are held together in the manner described in connection with v.discs 20 and 2|, i. e., the disc I1 has three openings 19 therein through which extend pins integral with the disc 16, which pins can be spread over the edges of the openings 19 by a hot punch or similar tool. The composite disc 15 has a pin 80 extending from thefront surface thereof (Fig. 6), and on this front surface a number of indicia are disposed in opposite relation to their respective openings 18 to Aindicate to an operator the filter or lens which has been aligned with the through opening Ain the housing member. The undersurface of the disc 16 is provided with a plurality of indentations 8| (Fig. 8) which are adapted to be engaged selectively with the bead on the spring lip 12, which engagement forms a spring stop to properly position theyarious openings 18 in alignment with the through opening A. v v

A second or major lens disc assembly, indicated generally at 85, is made urp of a relatively thick disc member 86 and a thin disc member 81. These two disc members have a plurality of openings 88 therein in matched disposition, and lenses of various dioptric values can be secured between the two discs in register with the lvari- The periphery of disc 85 is knurled in the same manner as the periphery of disc 'I5 to aid in manipulation lof the two discs. The two component members 86 and 81 are secured together in the manner previously described in connection with the other discs, i. e., the disc 81 has a plurality of openings 89 therein to receive short pins or pegs integra/l with the disc 81, which pins o1- pegs can be spread over the edges of the openings 89 by a hot punch or other tool to fasten the part securely together.

In the under-surface of the disc 86 are anplu- I rality of identations 90 which are adapted to be engaged selectively by a ball 9| retained in an opening 92 in the inner surface Hof the housing I2, which ball is pressed upwardly by a suitable spring.- A second ball 94 is located in a similar been shown in section. It will be noted fromv inspection of Fig. 9 that the ball 94 is located closer to the axis of the Washer 64 than the ball 9|,r so that the ball 94 will not engage the indentan tions 90 but will engage the under-surface of the lens disc 85 inwardly of those openings. The two spring-pressed balls 9| and 94 are in substantially diametric opposite disposition so that two discs 16 and 11 to ll the various openings they serve, to balance the lens disc 85 and prevent tilting thereof with consequent wear as would be the case'if only the single ball 9| were employed.

The face plate I| is provided at one end with `a thickened portion |00, the inner edge of which is curved as at IOI, so that the thickened portion which is drawn on two radii as shown at |02 and |04, with shoulders connecting these two parts. The smaller part |02 closely surrounds the stud l1Il,`while .the part of larger radius |04 receives the pin 80, with the shoulders acting as stops to limit movement or rotation of the disc 15. A through opening |05 serves lto make visible to an operator the various indicia on disc 15, while a second through opening |06 is so disposed as to be in alignment with the opening A in the housing I2. A plurality of concentric ribs |01 (Figs. 3 and 4.) surround this opening |06 in the outer surface of the plate. A third opening |08 permits passage of the shank of the screw `62, while a fourth opening |09 is so disposed as to lie in the path of various indicia on the lens disc 85. The two component parts of this disc S5 may be made of translucent thermoplastic material, and

the indicia thereon may be opaque, with the reand illuminate these indicia suiiciently to be visway |I From the foregoing it`will be seen that the ible to an operator through the opening |09. A lens |I0 may be mounted in opening |09, if desired.

The outer surface of the housing I2 is provided near the top ofl the instrument with an enlargement I I 0 which has a portion thereof so cut away as to provide a slideway I I In conjunction with this slidewayuse may be made of a brow rest I 2 which has a slide portion IIII to resiliently t in the slideway vI I I. The brow rest II2 has an angularly extending part I I 5 which extends beyond the front plate I2 and toward an operator an amount sufficient for its intended purposes, i. e., Y

to space the instrument from the eyes of an operator by contact between the rest II5 and the brow of the operator. It will be understood, however, that other accessories having `properly shaped parts can be inserted into the slidepresent invention provides a new and simplied ophthalmoscope which possesses many advantages over prior instruments. It will be understood that modifications can be made therein beyond the illustrated embodiment, and consequently any limitations imposed upon the invention are to be only those set forth in the following claims.

l. In a diagnostic instrument, a housing member having wall portions dening aligned channels for the reception of a source of light rays and of a light bending and directing member, said wall portions being laterally extended Yand enlarged to provide a chamber intermediate the source Vof light rays and the light bending and directing memben and `a pair of overlapping members in said chamber, said overlapping members being rotatable about their center axes 1ocated inspaced relation in said chamber, said' overlapping members'havinga plurality of devices movable selectively by rotation of said overlappingv membersinto the path of rays of light traveling from said source to said light bending and directing member for Varying the character of light rays` directed by said member, the Wall portions of said chamber being apertured for the passage of peripheral portions of said rotatable members;

2, In a diagnostic,` instrument, a housing member having wall portions defining aligned channels for the reception of a source-of light rays and of'a light bending and-directing member, said Wall portions bein-g laterally` extended and en-V larged to provide a chamber intermediate the source -of lightra-ys and the light bending' and directing member,` and a pair of overlapping members in said chamber, said overlapping members beingrota-table about, their center axes located` in spaced relation `in said cham-ber and laterally displaced from the axis of said channels, i

said overlapping memberseach having a plurality of devices movable selectively by rotation of said overlapping members intoithe path of rays of light traveling fromsaid source to said light bending and directing member for varying the character of light rays directed by said member, the wall of said chamber being provided with staggered: aber., turesr for the passage of portionsof the peripheries of each of said rotatabldmembers with the major y portionsy oieach of said rotatable members con- .stantlyenclosedin-said chamber.v

3. Ina diagnostic instrument, a housingmem.-

ber vhaving aligned channels for the reception ofa source of light rays and of alight bending and, directing member, said housing having0 an'` enlargement providing a chamber' intermediate the source of light rays and the light bending .and directing member, and a pair of overlapping members in said chamber, said overlapping member having aligned channels for the reception'of a source of, light rays and of a light bending and directing member, said-housing having an enlargement providing a chamber intermediate the. ,source of light rayswand the `light bending and directing member, and a pair of overlapping rotatable members in said chamber, said members havin-g a' plurality 'of devices movable selectively the source of `light raysv andthe light bending and: directing member, and a pair of overlapping rotatable members `in said chamber, said members-having a pluralityof devices movable selectively into the path of rays offlight traveling from said source to said light bending and directing:

` member, and a mount for said rotatable members,

bers being rotatable about their center axes located in spaced relation in saidchamber, andoverlapping members having a plurality of devices movable selectively by rotation or said over'- lapping members into the path of` rays of light f traveling from said source to said lightbendingand directing member, la singlemount for saidrotatable members, said mount and said rotatable members having cooperating formations affordingrelative rotation therebetween, said rotatable members rotatably engaging said mount, means for releasably retaining said mount and said.A

rotatable members in said chamber and meansA for selectively holding said rotatable members-in,

s predetermined` `overlapping relationship.

4.. In a diagnostic instrument, a housing member having aligned channels for the receptionl of asource of light rays and ,of a lightbending and directing member, said housing havingan enlargement providing a chamber intermediate the source of light rays and the light bending and directing member, and a pair of overlapping rotatable members in said chamber, said'mem-f' bers having a plurality of devices movable selectively into the path of rays of lightV traveling from said source vto vsaid `light bending and directing member, and a mount for saidrotatable members, said mounthaving means for selectively holding said rotatable members in predetermined overlapping relationship, saidmount hav-.

ingoppositely disposed ears limiting movementv of the mount and rotatable members into said chamber.

5; Ina diagnostic instrument, a housing memsaid mount having `a flat portion apertured to receive shafts-of` s aid rotatable members and having; integraly spring portions to resiliently engage formations of said rotatable members, said mount having oppositely disposed ears limiting move-v ment'ofl the mount and rotatable members into said chamber. l

'7. In a diagnostic instrument, a housing member havingy aligned channels for the reception of a source rof lightrays and yof a light bending and directingv member, said housing having an enlargement providing a chamber intermediateA the source of light raysA and the light bending and directing member, a mount, and a-pair of mem-' bersl supported by said m'ount in said chamber,

said members being rotatable about their center axes located in spaced relation in said chamber',- 'said members` having a plurality of devices movable selectively by rotation of said members into the path of rays of light traveling iro-m said source to saidlight bending and `directing member, one

surface of said enlargement being apertured for parts. of the peripheries of said rotatable members, the other side olf said enlargement being openfor the introduction and Withdrawal of said rotatable members and said mount therefor as.-

a unit.

'8.' In a diagnostic instrument, a housing meme.' ber having aligned channels for the reception of a source of light rays and of a light bending and directing member, said housing having an enlargement providing a chamber intermediate the source of light rays and the light bending and directing member, and a pair of rotatable members in said chamber, said membersl having a plurality of devices` movablel selectively inte the path of raysv of light traveling from said source to said lightbending and directing member,A onesurface -of said enlargementfbeing apertured,v for parts of the peripheries of said rotatable members, the other side of said enlargement being open for the introduction of said rotatable meinn bers and a mount therefor, `said mount having' a flat part apertured-.to receive'shafts of said rotatablev members which are disposedl on oppositeV sides of theat-part, springy means integral with said, at part and engaging form-ationsof said rotatable members, said mount having oppositely extending ears to engage the surface of said enlargement adjacent the opening therein, said ears and said surface having cooperating location formations. f

9. In an ophthalmoscope, a housing, a `multiple lens disc rotatably mounted therein, said lens disc having a plurality of formations in one surface thereof arranged in circular fashion and coordinated With the lenses of said disc, means mounted in said housing for engaging said formations selectively, and oppositely disposed means mounted in said housing for engaging a smooth part of the said one surface of said disc in. av

circle of radius diierent from but close to the radius of the circle of formations.

10. In an ophthalmoscope, a housing, a multiple lens disc rotatably mounted in said housing, one side of said lens disc being provided with a plurality of indentations arranged in circular fashion and coordinated with the lenses of said disc, a ball mounted in said housing and resiliently forced toward said disc for selective engagement with said indentations, and a second ball mounted in said housing and spring-pressed toward said disc, said second ball being oppositely disposed from the first ball and engaging a smooth part of the said one surface of said disc in a circle of radius different from but close to that of said indentations.

11. In a diagnostic instrument, a housing member having aligned channels .for the reception of a source of light rays and of a light bending and directing member, said housing having an enlargement providing a chamber intermediate the source of light rays and the light bending and directing member, said housing having an opening in one side thereof providing access to said chamber, supporting means for rotatably mounting a pair of overlapping members in said charny ber, said members each havingl a plurality of devices movable selectively into the path of rays of light traveling from said source to said light bending and directing member for varying the character of light rays directed by said member, said enlargement being apertured for the passage of portions of the peripheries of each of rotat able members, and means for retaining said sup? porting means and said rotatable members in said chamber.

12.. In a diagnostic instrument, a housing member having aligned channels for the reception of o y light traveling from said source to said light .rotatable members in said chamber, and a lens disc secured to said housing and rotatable. about said-closure member as a hub, said enlargement being apertured for the passage of portions of the peripheries of each of said rotatable members.

13. In a diagnostic instrument, a housing member having aligned channels for the reception of a source of light rays and of a light bending and directing member, said housing having an enlargement providing a chamber intermediate the source of light rays and the light bending and directing member, said housing' having an opening in one side thereof providing access to said chamber, an assembly of mount and a pair of overlapping rotatable members, said assembly being movable into and out of said chamber through said opening, means for positioning said assembly in a predetermined position relative to said aligned channels, said members each having a plurality of -devices movable selectively into the path of rays of light traveling from said source to said light bending and diecting member for varying the character of light rays directed by said member, andmeans for retaining said 'assembly in said chamber, said enlargement being apertured for the passage of portions of the peripheries of each of said rotatable members.

14. In an ophthalmoscope, a pair of plates comprising a housing having a sight opening, a multiple lens disc rotatably mounted in said housing between the plates, one of said plates having an integral formation on the outer surface thereof and above said sight opening, said formation forming the walls of a slide-way for the reception of an accessory made up of a-split slide portion to resiliently engage said Walls, an angular por tion extending across the top of said housing, and

a spacing portion extending beyond the outer surface of said housing to engage the brow of an operator of the instrument.

15. In an ophthalmoscope, a pair of plates comprising a housing having a sight opening, a stud extending from the inner surface of one of said plates, a multiple lens disc rotatable about said stud as a hub, a thin metallic bearing Washer interposed between one surface of said disc and the inner surface of the plate having the stud extending therefrom, one surface of said disc being provided with indentations coordinated with the lenses carried by the disc, and an outwardly biased resilient spring lip formation extending radially from said washer and having a bead near the end thereof for selective engagement with said indentations to align lenses carried by saiddisc with said sight opening. 

